The "cosy catastrophe" is such a strong British trope, one I've been steeped in.

Oh, interesting. Could you give me an example?

I'm actually reading Shackleton's book about his Antarctic expedition right now, and it is so very British (at least to a non-Brit like me). Is it stuff like that you're thinking of, or something else?

You really got under my skin.

I'm taking this as a compliment. : )